Postby dianne052506 » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:05 pm
Here is the FDA's page on drug shortages. There are two suppliers worldwide of leucovorin. One is saying they don't have a date, one is saying better availability 4th quarter.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/drugshortages/ucm050792.htmIf leucovorin is used to keep the 5-FU in your system longer, I've always wondered about the effectiveness of the treatment with just the 5-FU. During the shortage in the fall of 2008, my onc switched me to Xeloda pills to use in place of the 5-FU/leucovorin. The side effects are different, better for some patients, worse for others, but the efficacy should be the same. You'd have to see if your insurance would cover the Xeloda, since it is more expensive. Because of the shortage, insurance might be more willing.
Dianne
May 06 Stage IV CC: liver,ovarian mets
Oct 07 inoperable lung mets
Feb 08 - Apr'12 chemo
allergic to oxaliplatin, irinotecan
Aug '12-Feb'14 Genentech PD-L1/Avastin trial
Mar '14 -radiation to largest lung nodule
still recovering; looking at trials again